scarlet letter essay

When one is given a trial, one is tested to see what reaction would occur. Would one show the courage, knowledge and ability to pull through the task put before them? Through The Scarlet Letter Hester Prynne is giving different tests and trials in parts of her life. These tests come in forms of characters and objects. Hester shows that she has the knowledge and ability to pull though anything put before her. This is shown from the theme, symbols and characters of the book. Hester proves she can go through trials and survive any trial that is given to her. This is shown in the theme of the book The Scarlet Letter. The theme identity and society help prove the point. Hester is given this scarlet letter, which she has to wear on her chest, because she committed the crime of adultery. At one point the town people are thinking about allowing her to remove the letter from her chest. Chillingworth says, “ It was debated whether or no, with safety to the common weal, yonder scarlet letter might be taken off your bosom.” (Hawthorne 157). She doesn’t want to take it off because it reminds her of her past and she and she has come to terms with her actions. If she denied why she wore it she believed it meant she denied part of herself. When she decides to not take of the scarlet letter it shows how strong she is. Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter plays a major role in Hester Prynne’s life. A major symbol in this story is the scarlet letter. “-Was the SCARLET LETTER, so fantastically embroidered and illuminated upon her bosom.” (Hawthorne 51). This letter A is placed on her chest as a reminder of what she has done. The A is meant to stand for adulatory. The town makes her wear this as a punishment, and she never takes it off or forgets why she is wearing it. This proves she is strong enough to stand up to what people think about her and she is able to over come what has happened in het life. In The Scarlet Letter Hester has to face different people who present